Difference in hydrophobic and hydrophilic multilayered systems

Functional clothing, sportswear and military uniforms, are mainly made of polyester or cotton fabrics for dealing with sweat absorption and heat transfer produced by the human body. The human body typically wears two or three garments, such as innerwear, T-shirt, and jacket, thus comprising a multilayered system. Garments’ responses to heat transfer and vapor flow differ depending on whether their physical structures are hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Hence, this study analyzes differences in heat transfer and vapor flow, induced by the human body covered with multilayered garment systems, consisting of three polyester or cotton layers. In particular, it verifies three differences in the heat transfer and relative humidity, amount of relative humidity, and response time of thermal equilibrium in multilayered systems by using a new measurement system, “H&M evaluation device”. Resultant data provide precise information regarding several differences in hydrophilic and hydrophobic multilayered fabric systems.

► Hydrophobic multilayered systems and hydrophilic multilayered systems are tested by the H&M evaluation device. ► The amount of relative humidity in a hydrophobic multilayered system is higher. ► Endothermic reaction, caused by heat energy and water molecules, is faster in a hydrophobic multilayered system.